While the Steelers will be set to rebuild in 2022, these five free agents have to be brought back before becoming free agents in the offseason.
The Steelers are a team that notoriously likes to keep their own, and 2022 should be no different. While the team will be receiving a new look with some staple players likely leaving or retiring, there are some core players that need to be kept. Even in a rebuild, these five players have to be brought back this year.
Before continuing, I want to include a not on a name not on this list: JuJu Smith-Schuster. While I believe he is a supremely talented receiver, the cost to keep him will likely be high, and the team isn’t keen on paying multiple receivers. With Diontae Johnson needing an extension next year, I would personally rather see the money go to him. While I wish the best for Smith-Schuster, I don’t think he has to be kept this offseason unless the right scenario (mainly cost) works out.
That all said, here are the five Steelers that have to be re-signed this offseason.
Steelers must re-sign Killibrew
While one will look at Miles Killibrew and his defensive role and scoff at the idea of him having to be brought back, his special team’s tape has been elite. He is consistently getting a good jump on punt coverages, applies pressure on the punter, and has been key in getting some blocks on this unit. Without a doubt, he has been a key contributor there.
While he is on a minimum salary right now, odds are he will want a pay increase in 2022. He is well-deserving of it, as some of his special team’s play has altered games. Even if he is on a deal more than the minimum, his contract won’t break the bank. 2-3 million dollars a season over two to three years makes sense. Killibrew has become the Steelers’ best special team’s defender and he has to be brought back in 2022.
Steelers must re-sign Charlton
While not a notable name based on his playing time or stats, the Steelers have seen just how important edge depth is this season. Injuries to both T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith have both missed games due to injury which has forced the backups to play. One of those additions, Taco Charlton, is set to be a free agent this offseason and should be brought back.
While he hasn’t been a stat freak by any means, Charlton has been key in rotating in and taking some pressure off of the starters. He has a larger and lankier body than their typical edge rusher, and he uses his size to hold his own and provide power rush moves to win. He isn’t a top sack artist, but he is a steady backup that is worth being brought back.
Best yet, his play will likely only garner another minimum deal to be brought back. This gives the Steelers two capable backups at edge. The team could still add a veteran in free agency or a draft pick to compete, but they wouldn’t be as desperate for depth at the position as they were last offseason. Charlton would be cheap depth at a position that was stretched thin this season.
Steelers must re-sign Turner
I really went back and forth with this selection here. On one hand, the offensive line has been pretty bad, and adding to top interior lineman in the draft would be great. On the other hand, the Steelers have a lot of holes and may look elsewhere in free agency in the draft. While he hasn’t been perfect, Trai Turner has been arguably the team’s best linemen this season and has rebounded nicely from a bad 2020 season.
Given his age and history with injuries, his next contract won’t be for much more than what he received this season (three million). Adding him on another short deal gives the team a capable starter at guard while they can still look for upgrades to the line. As well, having a consistent crew of starters will allow this group to continue developing.
Bringing Turner back wouldn’t stop this team from adding linemen in the draft either. Tyler Linderbaum could still be in play at center or any of the top tackles. As well, guards have a tendency to fall in the draft. That means the team could take on to develop for a season behind Turner. It would be foolish to let the top linemen on this team walk next season. Assuming his demands aren’t extreme, Turner should be brought back.
Steelers must re-sign Adams
While Montravius Adams was a late addition to the team, as he was poached off a practice squad in the middle of the season, he has proven his worth. He stepped in right away as a nose tackle and has been a consistent starter ever since. Adams has to be commended, as he was added mid-year, played his first week here, isn’t a natural nose tackle, and has consistently played 40-50 percent of the snaps a game.
With Tyson Alualu far from a lock to be on this roster next season, keeping his potential replacement makes a lot of sense. Adams has been impressive in the snaps he has played for the Steelers. He has given the nose tackle spot a secure starter who can get into the backfield, change offenses plans, and take up space so others can get by.
While Alualu is the savvier player, Adams has a chance to be with the team past the 2022 season. Alualu, given his age, does not. Keeping Adams would be a smart move for a team that saw their defensive line depth get tested this season. He wouldn’t be that expensive either given his position. This is a no-brainer move, as Adams has expressed interest in returning and he would be well worth a new deal.
Steelers must re-sign Witherspoon
Had anyone asked me about five weeks earlier if Ahkello Witherspoon was worthy of a contract extension, I would have pointed out that he wasn’t worth the draft pick the team traded for him early in the season. He played minimally in the early portion of the season, and his on the field work wasn’t great. Since getting the starting nod over James Pierre though, Witherspoon has really taken off.
In terms of play from the cornerbacks, Witherspoon has easily been the best of the starters since taking on that role. He has been savvy in man coverage (something this defense has lacked this season). He has now allowed a quarterback rating of 34.9 when he is targeted in coverage and has nine passes’ defenses. Add in his three interceptions in a five-week span and Witherspoon has been playing at a dominant level.
With Joe Haden likely out the door next season, the Steelers will be in a bind at cornerback. In a position that you typically want to be four deep at, the team will have one established starter (Cameron Sutton) and one that has struggled in his starting stint (Pierre). Locking up Witherspoon has to happen. Retaining him and adding another top option in the draft or free agency should turn this cornerback group around.
The Steelers have a slew of free agents set to depart in 2022. While locking up some of their top names isn’t a must given their rebuild status, there are a few key depth and potential starting players that have to be brought back. These five players have to be re-signed before they can leave in the offseason.